Valentina Grandesso, class 1990 from Milan, Italy. Dubai adopted since 2016, Valentina is a happy 9-5 escapee, turned SEO Copywriter and Brand Strategist. After a Bachelor’s in Economics, she moved to Dubai for the job of her dreams: Events & Project Management for the luxury industry. Only to wake up one day and realize she wanted more. Or better, less. She followed the calling for a simpler lifestyle and moved to Costa Rica while the word paused in 2020. That one-way trip ignited the spark of her purpose: helping and supporting those whose mission is to make an impact on others. Working with people who rise by lifting others, those who chose an Alternative to life script. The healers, the coaches, the visionaries, the dreamers.
In 2022, The Alternative Copy Studio came to life. From the crazy idea of a dreamer, wanting to escape what “society” was expecting. Lots of self-doubts, sabotage, limiting beliefs, and delusion turned into confidence, and 8+ years of experience in marketing and communications, made the Studio a fully booked business in 2024. She leaned on community, and mindset coaching, and emulated the “big brains” to stand back up after every failure, to never stop believing in that dream and turning it into a reality.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I’m a freelancer and business owner, so I’m lucky to work on my own schedule most of the time. My day starts around 8:30 AM with a gratitude meditation and an almond cappuccino. If I don’t have calls scheduled for the morning, I head to a café to work on client projects and respond to emails. For lunch, I usually return home and spend the afternoon catching up on client calls or coaching and doing more work. My go-to for productivity is to wear noise-canceling headphones with some smooth jazz to help foster creative flow. For particularly intense days, a walk by the beach works wonders. I close my laptop at around 8:00 PM to enjoy time with my husband and unwind with a book or a movie.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I’m quite impulsive and I’ve realized that my best ideas are born of pure intuition. I make decisions with my gut, and whenever something excites me, I go for it 100%. I prefer to try, test, and learn along the way rather than getting bogged down in the planning phase. I would reach out to my community and mentors if I don’t know how to get there, but always have the final goal in mind.
What’s one trend that excites you?
AI. In the content creation world especially, it’s a trend that sparked concerns, but only those who doubt their skills have something to fear in this game. I believe it’s a technology to leverage and learn, that is here to support us, by making us more efficient, productive…and rich!
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Make a to-do list and map out monthly goals. I set up a desktop wallpaper with my monthly objectives and I use the Google Chrome extension Momentum to keep me on track.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Being everyone’s darling is overrated. Be unique, polarize with your voice, and you’ll attract the people you’re meant to impact.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
Human Design. This discipline is an incredibly specific way to learn more about your personality, emotions, and energy centers. More specifically, Human Design breaks down how you “are wired to make decisions, work within teams, parent, and partner”. Although I believe more and more people are starting to move towards spirituality, I truly believe in this discipline as a guidebook for life and in the fact that we can hack our destiny.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Volunteering for the strays. I love cats, I am vegetarian for the animals and I think that if everyone would help a little, the world would be a better place. I engage monthly in activities such as TNR (Trap Neuter Release) and I am active in the rescue community of Dubai.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I unplug. I take a long shower or bubble bath, put on some music, and journal about it. I practice shadow work by asking myself questions I can’t answer rationally and writing down the answers impulsively. You’d be surprised about the efficacy of this method! (Not sure if this is allowed to be shared, but) I wrote an article about this (https://www.blog.findinghealers.com/post/a-beginner-s-guide-to-shadow-work-why-you-should-care-about-your-unconscious-mind).
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Never back down. I certainly had low-income months and moments when all I wanted was to give up, but I refused to settle for plan B. I always tried to learn from those experiences, take slow months to learn, observe, brainstorm, lean into the community, ask, and practice.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Accepting projects that didn’t align with my values, for the sake of money. I learned the hard way that whenever I do something that doesn’t excite me and doesn’t match my values, it’s a predestined disaster. Better to back up right away, something better is always around the corner. I once got contacted by a client in real estate from a referral, who commissioned me copy for his website and brochure. Paid me for the whole upfront without a blink. Turned out to be a micromanagement freak, doubted every word I wrote and asked for – I don’t even know how many- revisions. Refunded him immediately and suggested him to find another copywriter to turn nuts. (Sorry not sorry!).
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Not a business idea, but the best investment you can make is in yourself. Read personal development books, surround yourself with the right network, and you’ll be a third ahead of most people on Earth.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Calendar, Notion, and Grammarly are my secret weapons. If an event isn’t on my calendar, it might as well not exist. It’s the first thing I check in the morning to set the schedule for the day. I use Notion to onboard and manage clients, and the Grammarly extension to avoid typing mistakes and sentences that make sense outside my brain as well.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
A mastermind. I am a big believer in the power of community and surrounding yourself with like-minded visionaries to push toward your dreams 10x faster.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
Oh yes. So many books enriched my life, but my personal favorite would be “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. Completely shifted my mindset in terms of money and manifestation. My podcast suggestion might be a bit cliché wit, but I love Diary of a CEO and The Futur with Cris Do.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
That would be Outlander: Oscar-worthy acting, real historical drama, time travel, romance and well…Sam Heughan.
Key learnings:
- If you have the luxury to choose your own clients, do so wisely.
- Don’t try to be perfect for everyone; speak your own voice, and your tribe will follow.
- If you find yourself to be the smartest person in the room, it’s time to change rooms.
- Look out for a community that challenges you and helps you stretch outside of your comfort zone.